Starting a Child Care or Nursery Co-operative

Preschool and daycare co-operatives are usually formed by a group of parents, who elect a board of directors, hold community meetings, buy or rent space for the co-operative, and hire an Early Childhood Educator. They often receive help from an existing co-operative and/or a co-operative council. In some situations, an employer or group of employers organise daycare co-operatives in or near the work site, then turn its control over to interested employees with young children. Daycare co-ops can also be found in co-operative housing situations and universities. Babysitting co-operatives are generally formed by a small group of parents. They may elect a secretary, or that office may rotate among all the parents.

Many child care co-ops are incorporated, as this prevents individual members from being held liable for damage or debt, and also allows co-op members to own property and take out insurance together. In many provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario, child care co-ops are incorporated under provincial co-op acts. Unfortunately, child care co-ops cannot be incorporated in all Canadian provinces.